JP3850595B2 - Magnetic card transaction device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a magnetic card transaction apparatus including a magnetic card reader, and more particularly to a magnetic card transaction apparatus having a function for preventing unauthorized reading of a magnetic card.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The magnetic card reader is attached to a magnetic card transaction apparatus that performs various transactions using a magnetic card such as an ATM installed in a bank. The card insertion / ejection portion of the magnetic card reader generally includes a card slot for magnetic card insertion and ejection, a card insertion detector for detecting a magnetic card inserted therefrom, and a magnetic card inserted from the card slot. The card introduction path that guides the card inside and the shutter that opens and closes the card introduction path are arranged in this order in the card insertion direction.
[0003]
When the user inserts the magnetic card into the card slot, the magnetic stripe on the leading end side of the inserted magnetic card is detected by the card insertion detector, the shutter is opened, and the magnetic card can be taken inside. A card take-out / discharge roller pair constituting a magnetic card conveying means is disposed on the inner side of the shutter, and the inserted magnetic card is held by the card take-in roller pair and taken into the interior.
[0004]
Here, when the magnetic card is inserted, the card insertion detector detects the insertion of the magnetic card so that the user does not feel uncomfortable such as the magnetic card being caught. The take-in roller pair is driven immediately to realize a magnetic card take-in operation that is smoothly and continuously performed by the user to insert the magnetic card.
[0005]
On the other hand, when the magnetic card is ejected, in order to make it easier for the user to remove the magnetic card from the card slot, an effort is made to increase the amount of card protrusion from the card slot when the ejection is completed as much as possible.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the magnetic card reader, when the magnetic card is inserted, the tip of the magnetic card is inserted into the card slot, and at the same time, the magnetic card is conveyed at a constant speed by the card take-in roller pair. Similarly, when the magnetic card is ejected, the magnetic card is conveyed at a constant speed by the card take-in roller pair until the magnetic card is substantially ejected from the card slot to the outside.
[0007]
Therefore, when the magnetic head is attached to the outside of the card slot, that is, the outer surface in the vicinity of the card insertion / ejection opening formed on the front panel of the magnetic card transaction apparatus incorporating the magnetic card reader, The magnetic card moves along the magnetic head at a constant speed, and the recorded information on the magnetic card is read.
[0008]
In view of this point, an object of the present invention is to prevent a magnetic card inserted into or discharged from a card slot from being read by a magnetic head disposed outside the card slot. It is to propose a transaction apparatus and a magnetic card reader.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an apparatus case in which an opening for inserting and ejecting a magnetic card is formed, and a magnetic card reader disposed in the opening, A card slot for inserting and ejecting a magnetic card, a card conveying means for taking in the magnetic card inserted from the card slot and ejecting it to the outside through the card slot, and a magnetic card taken in the inside In a magnetic card transaction apparatus having a magnetic head for reproducing data, it is detected that a foreign object for illegally reading information recorded on the magnetic card is attached in the vicinity of the card slot on the outer surface of the apparatus case. It has a foreign object detection unit, the detection region by the foreign substance detecting means facing the passing path of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card Characterized in that it is a region.
[0010]
As the foreign matter detection means, at least one of a photo sensor, a microwave sensor, a metal detection sensor, and a mechanical sensor can be used.
[0012]
In the magnetic card transaction apparatus of the present invention, the magnetic detection head illegally attached to the outer surface of the apparatus case can be detected by the foreign matter detection means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the magnetic card inserted or ejected from being illegally read by such an illegal magnetic detection head based on the output of the foreign matter detection means.
[0013]
In order to prevent unauthorized reading of the magnetic card, a configuration having a drive control means for stopping the conveyance of the magnetic card by the card conveying means when the foreign substance is detected by the foreign substance detecting means may be adopted.
[0014]
Moreover, what is necessary is just to employ | adopt the structure which has an alerting | reporting means which alert | reports that when a foreign material is detected by the said foreign material detection means.
[0015]
Alternatively, it has a shutter capable of opening and closing an introduction path for guiding a magnetic card inserted through the card slot, and a drive control means for controlling opening and closing of the shutter, and when a foreign object is detected by the foreign object detection means, The drive control means may close the introduction path with the shutter to prevent insertion of a magnetic card.
[0016]
The foreign matter detection means can be attached in the vicinity of the opening in the apparatus case or on the magnetic card reader side. Further, the foreign object detection can be performed, for example, in a card insertion standby state in which a magnetic card is inserted or at the time of card insertion detection.
[0017]
On the other hand, the present invention is also characterized by a magnetic card reader provided with the foreign substance detection means having the above-described configuration.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a magnetic card transaction apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a magnetic card reader attached to a magnetic card transaction apparatus such as an ATM. The magnetic card transaction apparatus 2 of this example includes a card slot opening 4 opened in a front panel 3 which is a part of the apparatus case, and a magnetic card attached and fixed to the back side of the front panel 3 in which the opening 4 is formed. And a reader 1.
[0020]
A magnetic card reader 1 of this example is inserted from a card slot 5 for inserting and ejecting a magnetic card, a magnetic head 7 for detecting card insertion for detecting a magnetic card 6 inserted therefrom, and a card slot 5. And a shutter 9 for opening and closing the introduction path 8, and these are arranged in this order along the card insertion direction.
[0021]
A card take-out / discharge roller pair 11 is arranged in the back of the shutter 9, and the magnetic card 6 taken in by the roller pair 11 is moved by a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 12, 13 arranged at a predetermined interval. It is transported along a defined transport path. Each roller pair 11 to 13 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 14. A magnetic head 15 for magnetically recording / reproducing data with respect to the magnetic stripe formed on the magnetic card 6 passing therethrough is disposed at the position where the roller pair 12 is disposed.
[0022]
Next, reference numeral 16 denotes a drive control circuit that controls the drive of each unit, which can be constituted by a microcomputer. According to a control program stored in the ROM, the magnetic card 6 is transported and read by the magnetic head 15. Control the behavior. Reference numerals 17 and 18 denote photosensors for detecting the rear end of the ejected magnetic card 6 as will be described later.
[0023]
Here, the magnetic card transaction apparatus 2 of this example is provided with a reflective photosensor 70 for detecting foreign matter disposed in the vicinity of the opening 4 on the back surface side of the front panel 3. A light transmitting hole 71 for transmitting and receiving light by the reflective photosensor 70 is formed in the front panel 3. A speaker 73 that generates an alarm when a foreign object is detected is disposed. The speaker 73 is driven and controlled by the drive control circuit 16 via a driver 74. Further, when a foreign object is detected, an alarm signal S for notifying the fact is transmitted to the host device or the like.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, in this example, the magnetic card 6 is configured such that it is inserted and ejected with the formation surface 6a of the magnetic stripe 6b facing downward. Therefore, the reflection type photosensor 70 uses a portion (width L portion) immediately below the passage path of the magnetic stripe as a detection region.
[0025]
In the magnetic card transaction apparatus 2 of this example, for example, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 3, when the magnetic head 20 is illegally attached to the surface 3 a of the front panel 3 where the card slot opening 4 is formed, The magnetic head 20 is detected by the reflective photosensor 70, and the magnetic card reading operation by the magnetic head 20 is blocked as described below.
[0026]
Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 and the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 6, the magnetic card taking-in and magnetic card ejecting operation and the illegal reading preventing operation in the magnetic card reader 1 of this example will be described.
[0027]
First, the taking-in operation of the magnetic card 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user inserts the magnetic card 6 into the card slot 5, the magnetic stripe 6b formed on the inserted magnetic card 6 is detected by the magnetic head 7 for card insertion detection (step ST1). Next, foreign object detection is performed by the foreign object detection reflective photosensor 70 (step ST2), and when no foreign object is detected, normal operation is performed.
[0028]
That is, the drive control circuit 16 activates the motor 14 by the detection signal from the magnetic head 7 to drive the transport system including the take-in roller pair 11 and simultaneously opens the shutter 9 (step ST3). As a result, the magnetic card 6 can be taken inside. When the magnetic card 6 is inserted beyond the shutter position to the back, the leading end is inserted into the take-in roller pair 11 and the take-in operation of the magnetic card 6 is started. Next, after taking the magnetic card 6 to the position of the magnetic head 15 for reading (step ST4), the magnetic head 15 performs a reading operation or a writing operation (step ST5).
[0029]
However, if a foreign object is detected, the process proceeds from step ST2 to step ST6 to generate an alarm that a foreign object has been detected. That is, while the shutter 9 is closed, a message indicating that the magnetic card transaction apparatus 1 cannot be used is generated via the speaker 72, and an alarm signal is transmitted to the host apparatus. By this alarm signal, the device manager can check the device 1. After the alarm is generated, the driving of the apparatus 1 is stopped, but the shutter remains closed, so that the user does not accidentally insert the magnetic card.
[0030]
As described above, in the magnetic card taking-in operation of this example, when a foreign object is detected, the magnetic card 6 is not inserted. As a result, for example, as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 3, even if the magnetic head 20 is attached to the outside position of the card slot 5, for example, the surface of the front panel 3, the magnetic card inserted by the magnetic head 20. Can be prevented from being read.
[0031]
Next, the magnetic card ejection operation in the magnetic card reader 1 of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, when the ejection operation of the magnetic card 6 is started by the roller pairs 11 to 13 and the rear end of the ejected magnetic card 6 is detected by, for example, the photosensor 17 (step ST11), the reflective photosensor The foreign object is detected by 70.
[0032]
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the state in which the rear end of the magnetic card 6 is detected by the photosensor 17 is a state in which the front end side in the ejection direction of the magnetic card 6 protrudes from the card slot 5 by a predetermined amount. In this state, foreign matter is detected. If no foreign matter is detected, normal magnetic card ejection operation is continued (step ST13). When the rear end of the magnetic card 6 ejected by the photo sensor 18 arranged on the card slot side with respect to the photo sensor 17 is detected (step ST14), the motor 14 is stopped and the card ejection operation is terminated (step ST14). Step ST15).
[0033]
When the card ejection operation is completed, the rear end of the magnetic card 6 is in the state of being inserted into the take-in roller pair 11, and the user pulls the magnetic card 6 lightly to remove the magnetic card 6 from the card slot 5. be able to. If the user forgets to take out the magnetic card 6, the take-in roller pair 11 is driven after a predetermined time and the magnetic card 6 can be collected inside.
[0034]
On the other hand, when a foreign object is detected, the process proceeds from step ST12 to step ST16, and an alarm indicating that a foreign object has been detected is generated. In this example, a message indicating that the magnetic card transaction apparatus 1 cannot be used is generated via the speaker 72, and an alarm signal is transmitted to the host apparatus. By this alarm signal, the device manager checks the device 2. After the alarm is generated, the driving of the device 2 is stopped.
[0035]
As described above, in the magnetic card transaction apparatus 2 of this example, even when the magnetic card is ejected, the foreign matter is detected with the leading end portion on the ejection side protruding outside from the card slot 5, and the foreign matter is detected. The magnetic card ejection operation is forcibly stopped. Therefore, even if the magnetic head is illegally attached to the front panel surface, it is possible to prevent the magnetic recording information of the magnetic card 5 ejected by the magnetic head from being read.
[0036]
In the above embodiment, foreign object detection is performed when card insertion is detected. However, foreign object detection is performed periodically when the card insertion standby state for detecting card insertion is performed, and foreign object detection is performed. In some cases, it is preferable to stop and stop the apparatus from the viewpoint of prevention.
[0037]
Further, as a foreign matter detection sensor, a mechanical sensor such as a microwave sensor, a metal detection sensor, or a microswitch can be used instead of the photosensor. Further, a plurality of different types of sensors may be arranged.
[0038]
Here, if a microwave sensor is used, it will also respond to the movement of the user's body, so the device should be set to pause if the reaction continues for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) without inserting a card. Also good.
[0039]
Further, the foreign object detection sensor may be fixed to the magnetic card transaction apparatus 2 side, or may be directly fixed to the frame of the magnetic card reader 1.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the magnetic stripe is formed on both surfaces of the magnetic card, it is only necessary to arrange two sensors capable of detecting a region facing the passage path of each magnetic stripe.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the magnetic card transaction apparatus according to the present invention includes the foreign matter detection means, reading of the magnetic card by the magnetic head that is illegally arranged outside the card slot can be prevented in advance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a magnetic card transaction apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the card insertion / ejection opening and card slot portion of FIG. 1;
3 is an explanatory view showing a state where a magnetic head is illegally attached to the outer surface of the front panel of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a magnetic card taking-in operation in the apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a magnetic card ejection operation in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when the magnetic card is ejected in the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic card reader 2 Magnetic card transaction apparatus 3 Front panel 3a Front panel outer surface 4 Opening 5 Card slot 6 Magnetic card 7 Magnetic head 8 for card insertion detection Card introduction path 9 Shutter 11 Taking-in roller pair 12, 13 Conveying roller pair 14 Motor DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Magnetic head 16 Drive control circuit 17, 18 Photo sensor 20 Incorrectly attached magnetic head 70 Photo sensor 71 for detecting a foreign material Translucent hole 72 Alarm speaker

Claims (8)

An apparatus case in which an opening for inserting and ejecting a magnetic card is formed; and a magnetic card reader disposed inside the opening; and the magnetic card reader includes a card slot for inserting and ejecting a magnetic card; A magnetic carrying unit that takes in a magnetic card inserted from the card slot and discharges the magnetic card to the outside through the card slot, and a magnetic head for reproducing data from the magnetic card taken in the inside. In card transaction equipment,
Have a foreign matter detecting means for detecting a foreign matter for reading the recorded information of the magnetic card fraud to the card slot near the outer surface of the device case is attached,
The magnetic card transaction apparatus characterized in that the detection area by the foreign matter detection means is an area facing the passage of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card. In claim 1,
The magnetic card transaction apparatus, wherein the foreign object detection means is at least one of a photo sensor, a microwave sensor, a metal detection sensor, and a mechanical sensor. In claim 1 or 2,
A magnetic card transaction apparatus comprising drive control means for stopping conveyance of a magnetic card by the card conveyance means when a foreign substance is detected by the foreign substance detection means . In any one of claims 1 to 3,
When a foreign object is detected by the foreign object detection means , the magnetic card transaction apparatus has an informing means for informing that effect . In any one of claims 1 to 4,
A shutter capable of opening and closing an introduction path for guiding a magnetic card inserted through the card slot; and a drive control means for controlling opening and closing of the shutter. When the foreign object is detected by the foreign object detection means, the drive The control means closes the introduction path by the shutter and prevents the insertion of the magnetic card. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The magnetic card transaction apparatus , wherein the foreign object detection means is attached in the vicinity of the opening in the apparatus case or on the magnetic card reader side . In claim 1,
The magnetic card transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foreign object detection by the foreign object detection means is performed in a card insertion standby state where a magnetic card is inserted or when card insertion is detected . A magnetic card reader comprising the foreign matter detecting means according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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